EXECUTIVE ORDER KBB 06-04

Statewide Interoperable Communication System Executive Committee

WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana presently operates a statewide analog wireless communication system which was installed in 1996 for voice communication and is presently used by approximately seventy (70) agencies with ten thousand (10,000) subscribed users;

WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, interoperability of voice, data, and imagery communications with emergency service agencies is of paramount importance, and the current communication system expansion is severely limited;

WHEREAS, the necessity of reliable communications and interoperability for first responders was demonstrated in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the state of Louisiana will best be served by a statewide interoperable communication system executive committee which shall develop an inter-disciplinary approach among all levels of government to provide reliable communications for the entire emergency response community within the state;

NOW THEREFORE I, KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO, Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: The Statewide Interoperable Communication System Executive Committee (hereafter "Committee") is hereby established within the executive department, Office of the Governor.

SECTION 2: The duties of the Committee shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The commissioner of the Division of Administration, or the commissioner’s designee;

2. The adjutant general of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, or the adjutant general’s designee;

3. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Public Safety Services, or the deputy secretary’s designee;

4. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or the secretary’s designee; and

5. The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, or the secretary’s designee.

B. The Committee shall also be composed of ten (10) members who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of the governor, selected as follows:

1. The executive secretary of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, or the executive secretary’s designee;

2. One (1) representative of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association selected from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association;

3. One (1) representative of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association selected from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association;

4. One (1) representative of the Louisiana Police Chiefs Association selected from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the Louisiana Police Chiefs Association;

5. The chair of the Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Directors Committee, or the chair’s designee;

6. One (1) representative of the Louisiana House of Representatives Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice;

7. One (1) representative of the Louisiana State Senate Judiciary B Committee;

8. One (1) representative of the Louisiana House of Representatives Special Committee on Louisiana Homeland Security;

9. One (1) representative of the Louisiana State Senate Select Committee on Homeland Security; and

10. One (1) representative of the Louisiana Broadband Advisory Council, selected from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the Louisiana Broadband Advisory Council.

SECTION 6: The chair of the Committee shall be appointed by the governor from the membership of the Committee. All other officers, if any, shall be elected by and from the membership of the Committee.

SECTION 7: The Committee shall meet at regularly scheduled intervals and at the call of the chair.

SECTION 8: Committee members shall not receive additional compensation or a per diem from the Office of the Governor for serving on the Committee. However, such Committee members shall be entitled to reasonable and necessary travel expenses consistent with travel allowances for state classified employees as provided in the latest Policy and Procedure Memorandum (PPM 49) and approved by the chair, if funding becomes available.

SECTION 9: Support staff, facilities, and resources for the Committee shall be provided by departments and/or agencies which form the membership of the Committee.

SECTION 10: All departments, commissions, boards, offices, entities, agencies, and officers of the state of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Committee in implementing the provisions of this Order.

SECTION 11: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 25th day of January, 2006.